Improvement in curtain-fixtures



E. B. LAKE.

CURTAIN-FIXTURES.

NO.176,434!. Patented Apri125, 1876.

N.PETERS- PNOTO-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON. n c.

PATENT OFFICE.

EZRA B. LAKE, OF BRICKSBURG, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CURTAIN-FIXTU RES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 176,434, dated April25, 1876; application filed July 20, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EZRA B. LAKE, ofBricksburg, in the county of Ocean and State of New Jersey, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Curtain-Fixtures; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in whichFigure 1 is a perspective view and partial section of my improvementapplied to a curtain-roller. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of theroller-cap. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through roller-cap.Fig. 4 is a side view of roller-bracket. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detailviews of modification.

This invention has relation to curtain-fixtures, and consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of devices whereby theaction of an automatic roller, re-

ceiving impulse from a coiled spring, is so controlled that the curtainwill be raised at a moderate degree of speed only, the motion of theroller being arrested when it tends to revolve rapidly, or is restrainedso that it can rotate but very slowly, through the agency of a pawl ordog, engaging with suitable stops located at the center and edge of theroller, when allowed to fall inwardly by its own weight, or thrownoutward by centrifugal force respectively, as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates a curtain-roller,having a chamber or cavity, B, to contain the shaft 0, coiled spring D,and the other mechanism for regulating the movement'of the roller. Theshaft 0 is stationary, while the roller revolves around it. At d isformed a shoulder or disk, to which is pivoted a pawl or dog, d, havinga laterally-projecting weighted end, 0, which governs the position ofthe pawl with reference to the stops, and serves also as a means ofengagement with the latter. For the purposes of the latter function theweighted end of the pawl has two catches, g 9, one, 9, projectinglengthwise of the pawl, the other, 9,

laterally, and from the rear edge of the weighted protuberance e, asshown. F is a recess in the shaft, formed to allow of the free movementof the pawl. G is a metallic cap, adapted to the end of the roller, andformed with a central aperture, H, for the passage of the shaft 0. h hare oblique stops, projecting inwardly from the flange of the cap G, atpoints diametrically opposite each other. '11 i are studs projectingfrom the inner face of the cap G, and embracing the shaft 0. These studsare prismoidal in form with curvilinear surfaces 73 i channeled at theirapices i and rabbets at t. K is a ferrule inclosing the cap Gr, andembracing the end of the roller.

The operation of the mechanism described is as follows: The spring beingwound, the roller is locked by the pawl, the normal position of thelatter being close to the shaft, with the catch g in the channel 6 ofone of the studs 6. Now, by drawing down the curtain slightly, the pawlwill be released. Then being allowed to ascend with moderate swiftness,the pawl rides upon the studs 7; without impeding the rotation of theroller, but if the curtain be held the pawl will reengage with the studi. If, however, while the roller is in operation the curtain bereleased, the former will begin to turn rapidly, whereupon the studs '5,striking the pawl forcibly, will throw it outwardly, and cause it toengage with one of the stops it h. The first position of the pawl andstudst' I term appropriately a working lock, and the last a safety-lock.By dispensin g with the notches in the studs 1' and suitably changingthe form of the pawl, the devices may act only as a safety-lock, asshown in modification.

Between the devices above described and those embraced in my patent ofApril 27, 1575, the difference may be stated as consisting chiefly inthe arrangement of the pawl. In said patent the pawl is attached to thebracket, while in this application it is attached to the shaft, and maytherefore be used with a stationary shaft and located within therecessed end of the roller.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In combination with a pawl ordog attached to the roller-shaft, the central and outer stops attachedto the roller, and con- In testimony that I claim the foregoing Itrolling the motion of the same, substantially have hereunto set my handthis 23d day of as described. June, 1875.

2. In combination with a curtain-roller, having the pawl attached to astationary shaft,

and having one or more studs to project said pawl outwardly, the studs hh, located outside Witnesses:

said pawl and adapted to receive the same M. DANL. GONNOLLY,

when thrown outward, substantially as speci- JNo. A. BELL.

EZRA B. LAKE.

